As you know, Mrs MJonTravel and I are embarking on a 3 week European adventure late this month. The highlight of the trip will be a 14-night Mediterranean cruise aboard the beautiful new Celebrity Reflection. But another big feature of the trip is returning to the USA from Barcelona aboard Lufthansa in Business Class. I originally booked our return from Barcelona via Frankfurt into Washington. Of course, we now live in Atlanta, so I just added a tag end on UA to our award trip from Dulles. Since the time I booked the flight, there has been a schedule change, and we will now be flying Lufthansa via Munich, not Frankfurt. Returning on the Frankfurt – Atlanta nonstop is not an option on our day of travel either….or I would go for that.
Now… I know Lufthansa doesn’t release F cabin inventory outside of 2 weeks prior to departure. When we were returning via Frankfurt, I was absolutely committed to stalking Lufthansa’s inventory and trying to get us booked into First for our return. Now that we are returning via Munich….with no Frankfurt First Class terminal to ogle at…. I am less committed to the idea of trying to get us into First class. We were on a 747 for the T/A portion of the original flights…now we are on an A330. That said, I’m still tempted to try for First Class. I’ve never flown Lufthansa in First. I want to. But I also want to see the Frankfurt First Class terminal. Any other trip, I would just reschedule by a day and we could return via Frankfurt. This trip, I’m not able to do that. So… I debate.
I’d love to hear from readers who have experienced Lufthansa First Class. Should I spend the miles and try to get us in the First Class cabin even though I can’t connect in Frankfurt this visit…. or just not bother? What do you think?
yes try to get first class it is an amazing experience…
esp frankfurt term 1…. try not to come back thru dulles what an armpit of an airport i did this trip with my daughter in january…we had a great time and the best bed in a plane EVER>>>>>…..
We flew LHR-MUC-IAD in May. It was wonderful. The plane was on its first commercial flight – newer than new! I didn’t want to get off. In the lounge in LHR they actually cooked my breakfast to order. Go for it.
Totally worth it! I went through Munich this summer and on all segments I was picked up at the plane stairs and driven to the lounge or out from the lounge to the base of the plane! The lounge is awesome and the F experience (I did BOS-MUC-AMS-VIE-MUC-BOS) was amazing, even in the “old F” class. Go for it!
Did both MUC and FRA(FCT) in F a month ago. While the FRA FCT is a stunning space, I enjoyed the intimacy of the MUC F lounge, which BTW has all the same goodies that I like, e.g. great food, sleep rooms and showers (not sure about bathtubs), that the FCT has. Aside from the space, which is quite a bit smaller in MUC, I think you would probably enjoy either one. I did have older versions of the A340-6 and 747 for my flights, my only real complaint- the tiny screens for AVOD. Service was terrific on both flights.
Reschedule thru FRA with plenty of time for the FCT
We returned PRG–MUN–ORD 1st on LH in May
Fantastic – we were met at MUN as we deplaned to see a Porsche SW waiting to take just us to the MUN 1st lounge
Great – checked us in, and took us to the LH — ORD flight after an hour or so sampling the food in the lounge
Only 4 of 8 available 1st seats were occupied – great flight – only spoilt by UA connection delay to PIT – sent complaint to UA
– got a form ltr back from UA
Flew through MUC in F and really enjoyed the whole experience. The Lounge is great. getting picked up from the Plane steps (I landed at a remote stop) and whisked to the Lounge was very nice, and the first class product in the air to SFO was awesome. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Whoops, that should have read: “Old J is the least desirable and will not make you happy about flying LH!”
Ok, if you visit the links below, you will see that 4 out of 6 A333 have new LH F and 3 out of 6 have new LH J – all flying out of Munich (some to IAD – not sure about ATL). No A333 out of FRA have this. The problem is that you may still get old F out of Munich (either with new J or old J). 14 out of 24 B747s have new F, but all have old J and all fly out of FRA. All A388 have new F, but all have old J. I would not fly LH old J because it is an out of date, non-flat seat that just isn’t up to par anymore. LH old F however is still very nice (except crappy small IFE)and regular new F is VERY nice with good IFE and big screen. Service is good on all, but LH F is obviously better! To complicate things the B744s have a different new F with either empty seat beside you that gets made into a flat bed or a dedicated flat bed and seat. This is why the revised B744 new F arrangement is the most sought after usually by those in the know and is > the not revised new F, which is > than regular new F(ie: A380 or some A333 or B748), which is > than old F. Confused yet:-) B744 and A388 are on the UD while B748 is in the nose. I would definitely try for FRA new F and FCT or hope for A333 MUC-IAD with new F or C and enjoy the MUC FCL. Old J is the least desirable and will not make you happy about flying LH! Hope that helps! Visit here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles-more-lufthansa-austrian-swiss-other-partners/1318664-new-first-class-retrofit-thread.html and here:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles-more-lufthansa-austrian-swiss-other-partners/1347761-a330-300-thread-new-f-new-c-new-f-old-c-old-f-old-c.html
Was in the Munich F lounge 3 weeks ago (MUC-IAD) and would still say it is well worth the stalk! Granted the FRA terminal is unique, MUC-IAD is still operated by mostly old C A330 even with a majority of revamped A330’s operating from MUC they haven’t’ been on the IAD route since the introduction of the new cabin. So stalking F is not only good for lounge accesses but a much better cabin experience as well.
I have flown through munic on LH First and it was amazing. Even though there is no first class terminal you still get the limo pick up and drop off to the lounge if your plan does not get a direct gate. for me both arrival and departure i got a limo pickup.
Trust me every mile I spent was worth it. Just make sure your holt is long enough to really enjoy the lounge.
Not worth it if only visiting the MUC FCL. Only worth it if visiting the FCT.
We flew Lufthansa from Orlando to Franfurt in coach with two small children. It was survivable. I would do it again. With the European attitude regarding in flight beverage the upgrade may not be needed.
Yes, do it!